Sophomore DE James Lockhart Elects to Transfer

Multiple sources are indicating that sophomore defensive end James Lockhart has chosen to transfer from the A&M football program. Lockhart, a four star DE out of Ennis High School who chose A&M over offers from Alabama, Ohio State, and Oklahoma (among others), had tallied 12 tackles in 16 games of action. Stats aside, he did manage to give us a highlight butt block on a Christian Kirk punt return.

Lockhart was third string on our depth chart, running behind Qualen Cunningham and Jarrett Johnson, which may have contributed to his decision to transfer. However him leaving our program leave us a bit thin at DE (assuming Myles Garrett elects to declare for the NFL draft) until the incoming freshmen/transfers come on board given that we only took 1 defensive end in 2016, after losing two committed prospects to either legal issues (Alton Robinson) or other schools (Mark Jackson/OU) last year.

In 2017 the A&M DE rotation will include the following:

SR Qualen Cunningham
SR Jarrett Johnson
RS SO Landis Durham (moved from LB)
RS FR Justin Madubuike
3* Freshman Ondario Johnson
3* Transfer Tyree Johnson
4* Transfer Michael Clemons

There’s some raw talent in that group, but it is light on experience...which is pretty concerning. It’s not certain that Lockhart would have developed into someone who could compete for a starting job, but at this point it feels like we just need bodies at the position.

Lockhart will have 3 years to play 2 at his new institution.